What is Metatarsalgia?
The main bones of the foot are called the metatarsals, and pain and/or irritation felt in these bones is known as metatarsalgia. The function of these bones is to distribute and bear a person's body weight when they are walking or using their feet in daily activities. The bones in the foot work together in careful balance, so when this balance is disrupted, it can cause mild to intense pain especially in the balls of the feet. Metatarsalgia is often caused by repeated stress placed on the balls of the feet during exercise or sports so it typically affects those who are active with sports such as running or football.
Causes and Symptoms
There are a few possible causes, some of the most common causes include; high impact exercises and intense training. The risk of developing this condition is also increased if footwear does not fit properly or is not fit for purpose to absorb some of that impact. If you are a runner suffering from this pain, it's important that you contact your physiotherapist and modify your training until the issue is resolved. Continued running with Metatarsalgia can worsen the pain and condition and may take much longer to recover from.
There are some conditions like diabetes that may cause nerve pain in the foot and contribute to Metatarsalgia. Some individuals with higher or lower arches may also be prone to developing metatarsalgia due to the shape of their foot and/or weight.
One of the easiest ways to stop this pain is changing your shoes! High heels have a narrow toe area that puts excessive pressure on the ball of the foot. Wearing high heels on a regular basis increases the risk of Metatarsalgia.
Common symptoms include:
Pain in ball of foot
Burning pain sensation
Aching
Tingling and/or pain in or near the toes
Increased pain when walking barefoot
Treatment
Once you start noticing the symptoms, it is important to reduce high impact activities to off-load the painful foot. Have a look at your footwear and avoid high heels if possible. A physiotherapist will be able to assess your condition and identify factors contributing to the condition. In some cases, orthotics or metatarsal pads will be required. Orthotics provides shock absorbency and will support the forefoot in order to tackle metatarsalgia.
Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic, we are experienced insole and orthotic prescribers. If you wish to book an appointment or would like to know more about metatarsalgia, contact us or book an appointment online.
Physiotherapy
We specialise in the treatment and prevention of injuries and conditions. If you are suffering with any health aliments that you feel we could help you with, get in touch today. We provide treatment for a wide age range from 9 years to 90 years old.